MURRIETA: Boy recovering after dog attack at Lowe’s

In this image taken from a security camera from Lowe's Home Improvement store in Murrieta, a man holding an Akita on a leash walks past a man holding a child in his arms. According to Murrieta police, the dog bit a child in the head on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013.

A 3-year-old boy bitten by an Akita inside a Loweâs Home Improvement store in Murrieta is being treated for injuries suffered in the attack and the dog has been quarantined.

The dog bit the child in the head area on Saturday, Dec. 29, inflicting serious damage on his jaw, neck, forehead and right eye, according to the Murrieta Police Department.

The child received around 50 stitches at Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar and was later transferred to a San Diego area childrenâs hospital, said Mo Middleton, animal control supervisor with Animal Friends of the Valleys.

The owner of the dog, who had the animal on a leash, left the store following the incident, sparking a brief search that ended on Sunday when the owner, a 62-year-old man who has not been identified by the department, was contacted by a Murrieta detective.

âHe did have a conversation with one of the parents and the child and then left quickly,â said Murrieta Police Lt. Ron Driscoll, talking about the aftermath of the biting incident. âHe should have stayed. ... Why he left, that I donât know.â

Middleton said the dog, a 3-year-old purebred Akita named Chester, could be immediately euthanized if the owner decides to waive his right to a vicious dog hearing.

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Middleton said itâs unclear if a hearing will be held, however, because there is still an open investigation by the police department. In addition, she said, they are investigating an unconfirmed report that the dog may have been involved in another biting incident.

Dogs that have been quarantined are generally held for 10 days. If they are released, there may be conditions requiring the owner to muzzle the dog in public or employ other safeguards. In the event the dog is determined to be a âdanger to the public,â it will be put down.

Driscoll confirmed that the report of a previous bite is being looked into.

Asked about the possibility of criminal charges against the owner, Driscoll said the case is under investigation.

The incident has prompted a vigorous online debate about people who bring non-service dogs into stores, which Loweâs does not officially allow.

âOur policy is that for safety and sanitary reasons, only service animals are allowed in the store, and thatâs nationwide,â said Karen Cobb, a Loweâs spokeswoman.

Cobb said there should be a sign posted at the front entrance of every store that makes that policy known. She added Loweâs is cooperating with local authorities who are looking into this situation.

She said Loweâs has reached out to the family, but did not provide any further details as to the nature of the outreach.

On Monday evening, Middleton said she plans to meet with the dogâs owner on Tuesday.

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